Mutagen

<strong>Day 139 - 6:05 PM - Barangay Salvacion, Municipality of Murcia, Province of Negros Occidental</strong>

Leaving the camp, Mark made his way through the sea of tall grass. His movements caused quite a noise as he trampled down the grass stalks on his path.

The further he got away from the camp, the less mindful Mark became of the noise he was creating.

Mark could wave through the grass without making any sound. He could either fly above the grass or use his [Shadow Mist Movement] to leave no noise or any trace.

Yet, Mark was being noisy. He was doing it intentionally.

The camp had light, which was more than enough to gather unwanted attention. However, a light source had less attraction towards the [Infected] compared to noises in the surroundings.

And with Amihan's presence in the camp, no noise could be heard from the place.

Thus, if there was anything that was around, they would be attracted more to Mark's location instead of the camp.

And if there was anything else that tried to approach the camp despite Mark's distraction, there was Crimson. The diligent [Bloodchild] was guarding the surroundings in his invisible mist-like form.

Fortunately, or maybe, unfortunately, no one approached or blocked Mark's path. In no time, he stepped into the vicinity of the ruins of the town.

The moment Mark was within a certain distance from the town, he immediately realized something.

There was a distinct difference between the grass of the flatland and the town. The grass in the flatlands had grown old and tall. But around the town, the grass appeared to be younger and shorter.

This difference was even more distinct once one saw the tall grass forming what seemed to be a natural wall around the town.

There was only one reason for this. It must also be the reason why the ruins were rather intact.

People lived in this place during the fusion of dimensions. The barrier the [Eyes] created to protect humans caused the differences between the plants outside and inside the town's vicinity.

Leaving the wall of tall grass taller than a person, Mark stepped unto the grassy patch that barely reached his knees.

Looking forward, what greeted Mark at the entrance of the town was the ruins of what seemed to be a small department store. Mark could see on the huge signage above the building entrance, which was a characteristic often seen in large stores. Unfortunately, the signage was already ruined, fallen to the ground, and blocked the doors. Most of the letters of the store's name were already gone, which only made Mark wonder what store it was.

Mark walked on the remains of the road in front of the store. Next to it was a small gas station with only one pump. This gas station showed how much of a backwoods area this town was. Having a single pump, this gas station would not be able to comply with the demands of petrol in far more developed towns and cities.

Since Mark and the others flew over the ruins and landed in the southern area of the town, Mark had to make his way north to investigate the ruins.

With nothing to see but ruins on the outskirts of the town, Mark decided to hasten his investigation. He decided to make his way directly to the most intact area of the town.

This time, as silent as possible, Mark moved. He jumped from house to house, from tree to tree.

By using the highest points of the surroundings as his footholds, Mark could make out the surroundings further and clearer.

The town was surprisingly empty. It would not be odd to see a few [Infected] wandering around. However, none of them could be seen despite the rather clear view of the surroundings.

Soon, Mark reached his destination.

It was rather unexpected, but the most intact area was the town center.

Normally, it would be the most devastated area. After all, a more populated place meant more [Infected] to wander around its vicinity. No one would take their stand in such a dangerous place.

However, since it was the most intact place, it meant that people lived here and made it their home.

And the most intact building was unexpectedly the town's municipal building.

Mark jumped towards the grass-covered road in front of the municipal building.

Sure enough, people lived in the area with the municipal building at the center. Broken barricades and other signs of fortification were present. Not only inside the building but also on the streets outside.

Furthermore...

Some of the barricades did not seem as old as the others.

Mark approached the barricades that felt newer. Most of these barricades were concentrated around the close vicinity of the municipal building. The one he approached was placed right at the entrance of the building.

"There are people present here recently," Mark deduced. "Maybe around a month ago or more."

Mark tried to peek over the barricade. But he stopped as he stepped on something soft.

Well, the grass growing over the cement was soft. However, it was a different kind of soft.

Mark squat down and pushed the grass out of the way.

Stretching his hand, Mark picked the thing he stepped on.

Soaking wet from the nighttime moisture, it was a cloth doll. It wore a one-piece dress, had hair made of yarn, and eyes made of buttons. Its right eye was missing, however. Also, the stitch string that made its mouth was already loose.

"It's dirty..."

Mark murmured, not minding that it was wet, and complained about the sticky mud that covered its body instead.

Finding a dirty doll like this in desolate, empty ruins felt eerie.

Especially when...

Mark looked up the partially closed window right above the entrance of the municipal hall. A shadow of a child just passed by.

Worse... Mark could not feel any kind of emotional energy in the surroundings. Well, at least, from the living.

Mark was not new to this feeling. Given his ancestry, he was used to sensing unseen things being around him. And right now, he was having the same sensation.

This place was not voluntarily abandoned.

And maybe... It was not abandoned at all.

It was just...

None of the survivors in this place made it.

Especially when the danger came from inside.

Mark looked back at the barricade in front of him. The barricade at the entrance was broken. Its broken pieces were scattered outside and not inside, however. It meant that it was broken from the inside.

With a sigh, Mark patted the mud of the wet doll. Given that the possible owner of the doll was still around, he decided to leave it on a cleaner floor than under the muddy grass.

But, all of a sudden, Mark felt a strong tug on the nape of his cloth. It was too strong that he was almost lost balance and fell backward.

Mark was about to complain, knowing that whatever did it was not a human. However, his eyes narrowed as he jumped backward in a hurry.

He immediately looked in front of him. Several stick-like poles were now standing in the place he stood just now.

There was no sound at all. Where in the world did these sticks come from?

Mark immediately noticed that the sticks were standing straight. It was as if these sticks were shot directly from the sky.

There, Mark looked up...

No, these were not sticks.

At the edge of the roof of the municipal building, a three-meter tall humanoid perched. The creature had two legs and six arms. It was tall, but its body was thin.

And the things that stood in front of Mark were not sticks... These were arms of the creature above, stretched several meters down to the ground.

Knowing that the attack missed, the creature hurriedly retracted its arms. The scene made Mark remember the retractable antennas that old televisions had.

However... instead of attacking Mark again, the creature fled the scene fast.

Mark immediately tried to give chase and jumped to the roof of the municipal hall.

Unfortunately, there was no sign of the creature anymore after he got up there.

The creature made no sound during its movements. It was fast, and its thin body blended well in the dark surroundings.

It managed to escape in the short time Mark spent jumping unto the roof.

Even so, Mark was sure what that creature was.

"A [Mutated Infected]," Mark murmured. "Probably a [Predator Type]."

It was one of Mark's weaknesses. Aside from gut feeling, he had no way of detecting the [Infected]. Unless the [Infected] was intelligent enough to have a bit of consciousness, Mark would not be able to detect them at all. It was the reason he was late to react this time.

Worse, [Predator Types] were known for stalking its victims instead of blindly attacking like most [Infected] would do. If a [Predator Type] knew it was detected by its prey, its first reaction was to flee, pretty much what happened just now.

Mark stood on the roof of the municipal building. He was searching for any clue as to where the [Predator Type Infected] ran to.

And then, Mark spoke.

"Are you the one that pulled my clothes just now?"

While asking this question, Mark turned his head, looking behind him over his shoulder.

Standing a few meters behind him... a silhouette of a little girl could be seen.

She was not answering Mark's question. She just stood there, staring at Mark without any movement.

Since Mark did not receive any reply, he could only shrug.

"Is this yours? I'll leave it here."

Mark said, putting the doll he was still holding on the floor.

And there, Mark jumped down, following the direction that the [Mutated Infected] possibly fled to. Of course, Mark was just guessing since the bastard did not leave any clue at all.

After Mark jumped off the roof, only then that the little girl move. She walked towards the doll and sat in front of it. She then watched the doll, as if she was reminiscing some memories. Only then the girl did notice that the doll had a new right eye made of some sort of metal. She could not help but look at where the stranger was going before picking up the doll and vanishing.

On the other hand, Mark was now on the streets once more. He continued to observe the surroundings while being cautious of any possible surprise attacks he might receive.

Even for Mark, the feeling of being watched was kind of uncomfortable. It was worse since he knew that someone or something was watching him, but he could not pinpoint where it was coming from.

In any case, Mark continued to tour the ruins. Since it was pretty much intact compared to most places ruins they saw before, there might be things Mark could bring back.

And Mark was not mistaken.

In one of the abandoned market stalls, he found some equipment used to raise fighting cocks. There was not a lot left, but it was a good find in this kind of situation, especially the sturdy ropes and medicine for poultry would be extremely useful.

Mark continued to roam the town. It was unexpected, but he was yet to be attacked by the [Mutated Infected] once more. Nonetheless, he could feel its presence nearby. Its stare boring holes in his back.

The annoying thing, however...

Mark turned to a house on the other side of the street. The girl earlier was there inside, watching him through the window.

He was being tailed by not only one but two annoying creatures.

The [Mutated Infected] that was good at hiding and the shadow girl that would not even hide.

Worse, the girl was not even an actual ghost. She was only a left-over sentiment of a girl before she died. Her soul had very likely passed on already. However, her emotions and intent were left and existed in the form of this shadow-bodied girl.

"Seriously... this was far more tiring than fighting a group of armed humans..."

Mark murmured with a sigh.